We asked policy analysts and public health experts to provide insights on breastfeeding within the workplace, and the workplace breastfeeding support that you will receive.
ITEMS AND MEASURES
This article provides an overview of health and safety issues concerning breastfeeding in the workplace, while also providing substantial workplace breastfeeding support in removing the remaining obstacles in order to make breastfeeding in the workplace simple and accessible for employers and women. In particular, this focuses on workplace regulations, their main functions and current issues, as well as training on administrative procedures that can be adapted for workplace breastfeeding support and other aspects of workplace safety. A wide range of data was examined from the Social Security Administration's 1990--2007 Annual Social and Economic Supplement file on births for SSN-w with SSNs in the top 1 percent of the distribution of childbearing-age women including labor force participation. Specific focus was on discriminatory practices, related health workforces and gender differences in the workplace. Most importantly, we have used these data to draw conclusions about the need for comprehensive regulations and interventions in the workplace for women, families, and the health care providers as a result of workplace hygienic practices.
A. THE IMPACTS OF INSTALLATION OF A LEGAL BOUNDARY ON WORKPLACE BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
Women are making a greater effort to breastfeed as adults. In a 2002 Gallup Center poll, 35.8 percent of mothers of infant tied behavior reported that they breastfed at least some time prior to a planned infant discharge.25 Applying these data to the views of policy makers, experts and practitioners—many of which are based on cultural stereotypes related to breastfeeding (e.g., men's distinct behaviors and preferences; mothers' breastfeeding habits in public; premature infants' breastfeeding practices) and assumptions about why they may not want to breastfeed—it is easy to imagine how outmoded, inaccurate—and even cruel—these attitudes can be. But in spite of such sweeping claims, breastfeeding has become an increasingly common practice and it’s common for businesses to have workplace breastfeeding support in place. 26,27 Various studies have shown that there are more women breastfeeding now than ever before. For instance, the percentage of American women who breastfeed every two weeks or more increased from 25 percent in 1976 to 56 percent in 2006.28 Analysis of the 2004 National Health Interview Survey and 2010 Survey of Family Growth survey reports also imply that breastfeeding rates for non-Hispanic white women have stabilized over the last number of years.29,30 NIH researchers recently concluded that there's no evidence here that the BRCA1-related genetic variants are being passed down to the next generation.31 Their study also demonstrates that we are making a reasonable effort to feed our babies. In addition, calls for workplace breastfeeding support can be useful in contesting misconceptions about the need to change societal perceptions of motherhood and make changes in our workplace.32 For instance, at HuffPost, we realize that the nature of the job—which is particularly hostile to women—means long working hours and a likely social isolation. We recognize, too, that the physical demands of the workplace can often force our mothers to seek alternate sources of nourishment. Perhaps, as Walberg suggests, we often overlook the social benefits of allowing women to take on some of the independence and responsibility that goes with otherwise demanding and enough burdens of return work.33 Like Walberg, we also believe that the implementation of timely regulation, education, and training on workplace breastfeeding support that can help mothers not only assume these kinds of responsibilities but combine them with lactation support in the workplace will help create more tolerant work environments for all mothers—and ultimately improve the health of all women.
B. LINKING THE BIRTH DOCTOR INTO THE HOUSEWIFE
Women have long had an important role in childbirth care and the prognosis for mother and child.34 We've long been intrigued by women's caregiving behaviors and beliefs. In a 1996 encyclopedia article, Newalt Chemical Industries of Eau Claire, Wisconsin described the link between the chemical industry and saturnine birth ideas, including a "Gestapo-like attitude toward moms"35 that made women "the enemy, not the friend."36 It is understandable that the current perception of the health hazards associated with having a baby in the midsection (i.e., developing large circumference) might be referred to as "the Wonder Woman effect": a positive perception of mothers and mothers' health due to public and medical awareness won the battle for women's rights to workplace breastfeeding support and has been reflected in the greater number of babies born via Caesarean section.